Gangotri and Yamunotri to close in October for six months

Uttarakhand, India – With the Himalayan pilgrimage season nearing its end, the temple authorities have confirmed that Gangotri Dham will shut its gates on October 22, followed by Yamunotri Dham on October 23—the day of Yama Dwitīya / Bhai Dooj. Devotees across the country now await the official announcement of the winter closure dates for Kedarnath and Badrinath, traditionally declared around Vijayadashami.

The Sri Panch Gangotri Temple Committee has set the closing ceremony for Gangotri at exactly 11:36 AM on October 22, coinciding with the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat (Kartik Shukla Shashthi). At that moment, the deity of Goddess Ganga will be transported in a palanquin (doli) to her winter seat in Mukhba village (also called Mukhimath), where worship and rituals will continue until the shrine reopens in spring.

On October 23, Yamunotri Dham will suspend darshan until the next opening season. However, devotees can still pay homage to Maa Yamuna at her winter seat in Kharsali village.

Temple authorities stress that Kedarnath and Badrinath closure dates will be declared closer to Vijayadashami, in keeping with longstanding ritual practice. This timing ensures the high-altitude shrines are secured ahead of heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and harsh winter conditions.

These seasonal closures mark the transition to the Winter Char Dham circuit, in which deities are shifted from mountain temples to lower-altitude winter abodes:

Pilgrims planning the Char Dham Yatra (Uttarakhand) are strongly advised to complete travel and darshan before October 20, and stay alert for official announcements on Kedarnath and Badrinath closures. As the gates draw to a close for another season, devotees make their final Himalayan pilgrimage while preparations begin for the reopening—typically in April or May.

Why the Seasonal Closure?

The Himalayan shrines remain open only during warmer months—usually between April or May through October or early November—owing to extreme winter weather, heavy snowfall, and treacherous terrain.

Rituals & Traditions

On the day of closure, a solemn ceremony is performed. The deity’s deity is respectfully relocated via palanquin to its winter seat, ensuring continuity of worship throughout the colder months. These dates are determined after consultations with priests and astrological calculations.

Pilgrims planning the Char Dham Yatra are urged to complete their visits before October 20 and stay alert for the upcoming closure announcements for Kedarnath and Badrinath.